Second Class in Indiana and Limbo in California

It seems like the cauldron of dissention against same-sex marriage is reaching a boil again in our nation. This week marked the announcement in California that the Supreme court would decide whether opponents of same-sex marriage in that state have a valid case to bring to the 9th Circuit Court of Appeals with regard to Prop 8. You can read more here on the San Francisco Chronicle site.

In another interesting twist in this already over complicated case, the judge who wrote the latest statement regarding the consideration of appeal, Justice Stephen Reinhardt, is married to the executive director of the ACLU. He has so far denied motions for his removal from the case. Read more at the Merced Sun Star.

Tuesday House lawmakers in Indiana voted to change that state’s constitution to include the wording ‘any relationship “substantially similar”’ in their ban on same-sex marriage. (sources 365gay.com and the Indy Star). Though the amendment still has years to go and several votes in both houses of congress in Indiana before it is put to a final vote, the mere fact that it is even being considered is disturbing, not to mention confusing. It closes any possibility for protections for same-sex partners to be legally recognized. Further speculation might interpret the wording as making the mere act of living together for same-sex couples in Indiana illegal.

And rounding out the pro discrimination party this week: lawmakers in New Hampshire are scheduled to vote on whether or not to repeal their legal recognition of same-sex marriage. (Boston Globe), while Wyoming, already defining marriage as between one man and one woman, passed a law nullifying out of state same-sex marriages.

On the flip side.. Maryland legislators will most likely add that state to the list of same-sex marriage friendly states. Hawaii just voted in favor of civil unions for same-sex couples and is waiting for the governor to sign that bill into law.

Stay informed. Peace.

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on Thursday, February 17th, 2011 at 10:46 am and is filed under blog.
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